Birch Hills County issues Evacuation Alert due to flood warning at Watino

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Birch Hills County is asking residents to prepare for a possible evacuation.

The county issued the alert due to rising levels in the Smoky River at Watino.

According to the Friday morning update from the Alberta River Forecast Centre, water levels rises of six metres is possible.

The centre says it is supposed to peak either late this evening or tomorrow morning.

The province also goes onto say in the warning that 1/3 of the eastern part of Watino, as well as the Highway 49 bridge could be affected.

The county says if an order is issued, residents will have two hours to get to higher ground.

Several rivers within the Peace River Basin are either under a high streamflow advisory or a flood watch.

Flood watch:

  • The Simonette River
  • The Wapiti River and its Tributaries

High streamflow advisories:

  • Peace River from the Dunvegan Bridge to Fort Vermilion
  • The Smoky River and its Tributaries
  • The Little Smoky River
  • The Kakwa River
  • The Cutbank River
  • Tributaries to the Wapiti River

Click here for the latest river forecasts.

 

 

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